Free Government Phone in Iowa
Eligible Iowa residents can get a smartphone and Lifeline-supported wireless service from Free Link Wireless — with no contracts and no monthly bill.
Quick answer
Yes. Eligible households in Iowa can get a Free Government Phone through the federal Lifeline program. You qualify if someone in your household receives Iowa Medicaid, Food Assistance, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or the Veterans Pension — or if your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Who qualifies for a Free Government Phone in Iowa?
You, a dependent, or someone in your household must participate in one of these programs:
- Iowa Medicaid (Medicaid)
- Food Assistance (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance / Section 8
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
- Household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
Not sure? Use our eligibility checker.
Lifeline income limits by household size
Maximum yearly household income (135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, 48 states + DC). Bars show household size.
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Source: 2025 HHS Poverty Guidelines × 135%. Alaska and Hawaii limits are higher. Limits update yearly — confirm on USAC's Lifeline site.
How to apply in Iowa
- Check eligibility using the programs above or your income.
- Apply online with the Free Link Wireless application.
- Verify your eligibility. Your eligibility is confirmed through the Lifeline National Verifier, run by USAC. In many cases, Iowa benefit records can be checked automatically.
- Get your phone. We ship free to any Iowa address, and you can keep your current number.
Service across Iowa
Free Link Wireless serves eligible customers statewide, including Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Sioux City. Service runs on a nationwide 4G LTE and 5G network — see our coverage page for details.
Popular phones in Iowa
Apple
Free iPhone 8 Plus
$0 – $200* device co-pay
- 4G LTE
- 5.5-inch Retina HD
- Dual 12MP (Wide + Telephoto), 2x optical zoom
See all Free Government Phones →
Neighboring states
- Free Government Phone Minnesota
- Free Government Phone Wisconsin
- Free Government Phone Illinois
- Free Government Phone Missouri
- Free Government Phone Nebraska
- Free Government Phone South Dakota
- All states
Iowa Free Government Phone FAQs
Can I get a Free Government Phone in Iowa with Iowa Medicaid?
Yes. Iowa Medicaid is Iowa's Medicaid program, and Medicaid is a Lifeline qualifying program.
Does Food Assistance qualify for a Free Government Phone?
Yes. Food Assistance (SNAP) is Iowa's SNAP program, which qualifies your household for Lifeline.
How many Free Government Phones can a Iowa household get?
One. Lifeline is limited to one benefit per household in Iowa and every other state.
How long does it take to get a Free Government Phone in Iowa?
Many applicants are verified quickly. After approval, phones typically ship within a few business days, depending on where you live in Iowa.
Get your Free Government Phone in Iowa
Check eligibility in about two minutes, then apply online. No contracts, no credit checks.